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Recording road bike positionThis article will describe the use of the Road Positioning Chart for competitive road bicycles. A similar article for MTB bikes is at MTB Bike Positioning. The chart is intended primarily for the mechanic to quantify and record the various aspects of a cyclist positioning adjustments. It can also be useful for a cyclist to track and record changes to his/her position. For example, if saddle height is raised, the new height and date of change can be noted. This will allow the cyclist to track changes in performance. Additionally, if the bicycle is lost or somehow destroyed, this chart will help in quickly setting up the new bike to closely match the original positioning. The Road Positioning Chart can be downloaded as an Adobe® PDF file. The Adobe® Reader program is required to view and print this file. See Adobe® if you do not have this program. ProcedureUseful tools for measuring rider position:
Begin with the bicycle on level ground. If possible mount bike on trainer and level bike by checking that both wheel axles are the same distance from the ground. There is often more than one method for measuring a component or position. It is important that the user be consistent and that the method of measuring is noted. Record all units of measurement. For example, record "50cm" for fifty centimeters, and "50mm" for fifty millimeters. Complete the chart and makes notes with the assumption that someone else will need to set up a bike from only this chart. Begin by recording customer/rider information, such as name, address, etc. Also record bike make, model, year of production, and serial number. Also record bike's color scheme and any unique or obvious physical characteristics that might distinguish this bike. Assume this will be used in a police report of a stolen bike. It is also recommended that the traveling rider carry a recent photo of the bicycle.
Record handlebar-over-saddle height difference. A simple method is to
measure perpendicularly from saddle to ground, and then bar to ground,
and take the difference between these two measurements. Use a straight
edge on top of the bars, and measure to lower edge of the straight edge.
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Record
the stem angle from horizontal. Especially on shorter stems, hold angle
finder so it is parallel to stem angle. In the stem is downward sloping,
record as a negative number ( - ). It stem is upward sloping, record as
a positive number ( + ). |
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I: Handlebar brand and modelHandlebars vary in shape and design. Record the brand and model. J: Handlebar WidthMeasure width from center to center at the lower section of the drops. Some manufacturers specify width as an outside to outside dimension. However, when a bar is wrapped with thick tape, this makes an accurate measurement more difficult. Record method of measurement. For example, "46cm center-to-center". It is use to know bar width when bike is crashed. The width after the crash can be compared to the width before the crash. Replace bar if this measurement is different. |
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K: Handlebar Tilt or angleMeasure drop type bar angle off of lower section of drops using level angle finder. Record any positive or negative angles to be consistent with the system use on the stem. In other words, if the lower section is pointing downward, or more toward the rear axle, record this as a positive number. If the lower section is sloping upward, toward the rider, record this as a negative number. |
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N: Crank Length O: Chainring Sizes P: Pedals Q: Shoes |
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